Due to the need for social distancing, coursework will be delivered online and many staff will be working remotely. These challenging times are only made more difficult with the loss of in-person interactions. Below, please find resources on possible activities for you and your family as well as wellness tips. It is important to take care of yourself and others during the days and weeks ahead.

The San Diego Zoo has nine different Zoo Cams to watch baboons, elephants, koalas, and six more species in real-time. The Smithsonian Zoo has four Zoo webcams, and the Cincinnati zoo offers virtual tours of its exhibits.

Use that brainpower

Use Zoom to gather your existing book club remotely, or start one with your friends, family, and neighbors. Book lists can be found on GoodReads and Common Sense Media has a great list of titles for kids’ book clubs.

With so much weighty news coming at us these days, it can be easy to forget that people are wonderful and lots of great things are still happening out there. Try the Good News Network, Huffington Post Good News, and MSN Good News for a “good news getaway” and some inspiration.

Physical activity is important for mental and physical health. It can be tough to manage while staying at home, but we’ve got some great suggestions for you! Join us for the weekly meeting of the UMassD Walking Club via Facebook. Walking can energize your workday by reducing stress and building strength, teamwork, morale, and keeping us connected to our colleagues! So, join us each week virtually for some mid-day rejuvenation!! We look forward to “seeing” you there!

I know it's an understatement to say these are strange times we are living in and we're all trying to find ways to cope with the stress and uncertainty of this global crisis. I also know that exercise does two very important things that we all need right now. Exercise boosts the immune system and decreases stress. You don't need a gym, hours of time, weights, or instructors to get an effective workout. All you really need is space, your body, and as little as 10 minutes. I have included some informative info-graphics with some guidance and a suggested workout model. I have also included a collection of simple body weight exercises you can substitute and change things up to keep your workouts fun and interesting. These are just a couple suggestions., But my main message is- take some time for yourself, get your body moving, connect with nature, and get your mind off this crisis for a few minutes a day. Lift weights if you have them, run if you love it, stretch or do Yoga if that's your thing, just be sure you're taking care of yourself. We're all going to need you when this thing is over.

It’s important to take care of ourselves and those around us. The World Health Organization (WHO) created a Coping with Stress PDF, and another on Helping Children Cope with Stress PDF. Many other resources are available to help you get educated on COVID-19, address the stress and beat the blues. Please review these other resources for self-care:

UMass Dartmouth also offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through ComPsych® GuidanceResources benefits that will give you and your dependents confidential support, resources, and information for personal and work-life issues. These services are provided at no charge to you and your family. Call 844.393.4983 or visit their site and enter company ID: UMASS.

Use your brain’s natural chemistry to promote wellbeing

When you’re in contact with people you love, your brain releases the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, and oxytocin hormone is produced. All of these promote feelings of wellbeing and positive emotion. To some degree, many types of positive social interactions also produce these important substances in the brain. During social distancing, we are physically separated from many of those we love and have less opportunity for normal social interaction. Some may find themselves feeling a bit blue or lonely as a consequence. The good news is that there are many ways to naturally boost these chemicals in the brain and promote feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Step away from the news for a bit and try some of these suggestions:

Massage— 20 minutes of massage has been shown to increase “feel good” neurotransmitters and hormones.

Hugs

Snuggling

Take a warm bath

Close your eyes and visualize loved ones or hugging a loved one.

Think about a happy memory with loved ones.

Zoom, Skype, etc. with a loved one and talk face to face.

Look at photos of things that make you happy, such as your pet, a favorite place, or close friends

Exercise is a great serotonin booster.

Nutrition - Research suggests that eating carbs along with foods high in tryptophan may help more tryptophan make it into your brain.

It is important to stay stocked up on groceries during this time and currently, take-out is still available. A physician has created a comprehensive video on how to handle groceries and take-out to avoid virus transmission.